Surprinting



July 26, 1938.

w. J. WILKINSON 2 ,124,680

SURPRINTING Filed Jan. 12, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet l A?" 1 TYPE COPY 1Z2MATTER GLUE PRINT l 1! PosITIvE l REvERsE J3 NEGATIVE I 12 STRIPPING iNEGATIVE J5 J55uRPRINTE0 ON 11 IJSTRIPPED ON 12 AND HALF TONE OPRQU EDosITIvIE h u -17 REEIST ON CoPY E TYPE 22 25 MATTER REVERSE NEGATIVEREVERSE NEGATIVE 5TRIPPING NEGATIVE HALF TONE POSITIVE h 24 5TRIFPED ON25 AND AQUED Z6 5URPR1NTED f'ZOerZZZ f:

- RESIST ON W $250770 METAL J July 26, 1938. w. J. WILKINSON 2,124,680

SURPRINTING Filed Jan. 12, 195'? 3 Sheeis-Sheet 2 TYPE MATTER RED 5EP.BLUE 55?. Rev. NEG. REV NEG. 35

GLUE PRWT POSITIVE STRIPPING NEG.

HALFTONE PoamvE h 57 STRIPPE'D FROM 54 ON 56 AND OPAQUED i 45 a]REVERSE. DEVELOPED NEG. FROM 69 1 h HALFTONE POSITIVE FROM 40 RE5|5T 0NRESIST ON METAL o|= METAL OF RED PTG- BLUE Pm.

PLATE PLATE 565URPRINTED 545TR|PPED ON 55mm y 26 1938 .w. J. WILKWSON2,124,680

SURPRINTING Filed Jan. 12, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I 55 TYPE (9 COPY LMATTER G;.uE FRmT POSITIVE I 51 511 NEGATIVE I 1 55 5TIPPIMG l NEGATIVEOPAQUED 3 E HEMITONE POSITIVE 59 REslsT ON METAL 2 7555 wcopY w 55 LTYPE MATI'EF? NEGATIVE NEGATIVE STRIPPING NEGATIVE HEMITONE POSITIVE L62 STRIPPED ON 65 AND OPAQUED AND SCREEN STRIPPED OVER TYPE-HAT r ER 665URPR\NTED ON 67 L l fizz/ 9 I g Wdizam J Max/250m Patented July 26,1938 PATENT OFFICE suaram'rmc William J. Wilkinson, Eastchester,,,N. Y.,assignor of one-half to Miehle Printing Press and Manufacturing Company,a corporation of Illinois Application January 12,1937, Serial No.120,249

24 Claims.

The present invention pertains to certain features of improvement andbetterment in the surprinting of typematter, lettering, or the like,either with colorless type or in one or more colors, in combination withassociated illustrations or comparable matter.

One aim of the invention is to provide a new procedure of this kindwhich is economical to practice,.which may be followed with comparativeease and dispatch, and which aifords results of the highest and mostacceptable grade, includingprecise registration.

. To enable those acquainted with this art to understand the principlesunderlying the invention, and, in order that the latter may be practisedwith various styles of printing, several desirable and preferredembodiments of the invention have been illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings which should be considered in connection with the followingdetailed description. In'

these drawings:

Figure 1 depicts the method of surprinting colorless typematter;

Figure 2 portrays the procedure when the let-' ,tering is printed incolors;

Figure 3 sets forth the process when lettering is printed in one colorand dropped out of another in registered relation.

The procedures in Figures 1, 2 and 3 all relate to deep-etchonset-printing.

Figure 4 outlines the surprinting in colorless type in connection withintaglio printing employing a hemi-tone positive, by which is meant apositive in which all tones are one-half of their value in the originalsubject, used for the production of the printing plate; and

Figure 5 presents the method used in the same general procedure forsurprinting in colors.

In all figures of the drawings the emulsion side of the element isshown-as being uppermost.

Referring first to Figure 1, it will be observed that a reverse-negativel I is made from the original subject or -copy l and from such negativea bichromated glue or gelatin positive ii on glass is produced anddeveloped by water in accordance with the well-known and establishedpractice, and such positive is dyed in methyl-violet-solution in thecustomary manner that a copper print is dyed for photoengraving, thisdyeing permitting the extent of development to be made readilyapparentand making the subject visible in the positive, such dyeing, however,not modifying the lighttransmitting properties of the positive, whichfrom a photographic standpoint is transparent.

Those acquainted with this art will, of course, understand that thereverse-negative referred to is made either by having'the glass of thelightsensitive plate toward the lens, or by making the negative througha glass-prism.

A strippingmegative I3 is made of the separate black typematter orlettering M to be surprinted and such negative is stripped from itssupport and applied on the positive l2 with the typematter in thedesired position with relation to the ing been coated on its gelatinside with bichromated-glue, preferably with a coating of waterproofcollodion between such coating and the negative, is registered with themaster member l using the customary registration marks for that purpose,and exposed to light therethrough and then water-developed in the usualway, after which it is dyed with a concentrated methyl-violet-solutionand then rendered photographically opaque 'as to its light exposedportions by a solution of iodine in a weak solution of potassium iodide,thus producing, after washing and drying, the element I6 comprising acombination of the original subject coupled with the desired associatedtypematter.

Hereinafter, in this application, where surprinting on a light-sensitivebichromated-glue coatingis referred to, the complete process is meant,namely, exposure of such coating to light through the master, developingwith water in the usual manner, dyeing with a concentratedmethyl-violet-solution, treating with a solution of iodine in a weaksolution of potassium iodide, washing and drying.

. From the member l6 a half-tone positive I! is made and this'is used toprovide a iight-exposed and developed resist coating l8 on themetal-plate which is etched therethrough in. the usual way, thisprinting plate printing the original subject correctly and also printingthe typematter in colorless type in correct position, as will be readilyunderstood from what precedes.

If the original subject is in colors and is to be printed in like colorsand it is desired to have the lettering printed in colorless type on thefinal print, then each color-separation reverse-negative is treated inthe same way as referred to above, under which circumstances, each colorprinting-plate will print the typematter in colorless type, the liketypematters of all of the plates printing in exact register with oneanother.

It is, of course, to be understood that the single master-plate I5 isused with each of the several color-separation reverse-negatives; orstated in other words, it is not necessary to make a member ii for eachsuch negative.

In case the lettering or typematter is to be printed in one or morecolors, the procedure shown in Figure 2 is followed, in which instance,a color-separation reverse-negative 2| is made from the original subjector copy 22 for each color to be used in printing the typematter and thenthe following method is practiced for each such this compound negative26 being opaqued as may be required so that only the lettering will besurprinted.

A half-tone positive 21 is made from the reverse-negative 2| and then ona bichromatedglue coating applied to such positive, the double negative26 is surprinted, giving, when completed, the positive 28 which is thenapplied to, and printed through onto, the resist 29 on the metalplate orcylinder, which of course after suitable development is etched inappropriate manner.

Each color-separation negative treated in this way will result in thetypematter being printed in its color, so that any single color orcombination of colors may be used for such lettering, it beingunderstood that only one such double .or master negative 26 need be madeand used in the stated manner successively with the half-tone positivesrequired to produce the desired result.

Colors of the copy not involved in the surprinting have theirprinting-plates made in the usual way, the surprinting, of course, beingomitted, so that in the final print the original is in its proper colorsand the lettering is in its selected one or more colors.

As another example, assume, for instance, that it is desired that thetypematter or lettering be printed in certain colors and dropped out ofanother color or colors appearing in theoriginal, such a plan isdepicted in detail in Figure 3.

In this case, orange-colored lettering is to appear in the final printof the copy and obviously such lettering must be carried by the yellowand red printing-plates to provide the orange color, but the copypresents a blue area in which such orange lettering must appear, and thelettering must be dropped entirely out from the blue and blackprinting-plates, this whole procedure, of course, calling forexceedingly close and precise register.

In carrying out this process, reverse development may be resorted towith advantage, by which is meant that method of known developmentwhereby a positive may be made directly from a positive or a negativefrom a negative, in which case, however, the negative produced would bea reverse of the original negative.

Assuming that the original copy 3| has an illustration 32 in colors anda blue area 33 in which latter the typematter or lettering in the finalprint is to appear in orange color, from such copy a red-separationreverse-negative 34 is made as is also a blue-separationreverse-negative 35, and a methyl-violet-solution-dyed, bichromated-gluepositive 36 is made from the blue-separation reverse-negative 35, in themanner specified above in connection with Figure 1.

4 A stripping-negative 31 is made from the typematter copy 38 and it isstripped onto positive 36 in proper position with relation to the zonecorresponding to the colored area 33 of the original copy, whereupon theremainder of the positive 36 is opaqued by hand, thereby producing aduplex-member 39, the subject-matter of which is surprinted on theblue-separation reverse-negative 35 after the latter has been coatedwith collodion and on top of that coated with the usuallight-impressionable bichromated-glue, thereby making member 40, andfrom such negative 40 a half-tone positive 4| is made which is used toprovide the corresponding, photographic, developed, screened resist 42on the metal-plate which, of course, is etched in the usual way throughsuch resist.

Obviously, this surprinted, blue-separation printing-plate will print inblue and will leave the spaces for the lettering, on the blue areaclear; or, in other words, the lettering will be colorless.

A half-tone positive 43 is made from the redseparation reverse-negative34 and the subjectmatter of a reverse-developed, preferably, but notnecessarily super-contrast, negative 44, made from the master 39, issurprinted on a light-sensitive bichromated-glue coating applied on thescreened positive 43, producing the member 45, the latter being used tolight-affect the resist 46 applied to the surface of the redprinting-plate, the plate being etched in the customary manner throughsuch resist after its development. Obviously, this red printing-platewill printthe illustration and the lettering in red.

The corresponding yellow-separation reversencgative is treated in thesame way, including the use of the master negative 44 to provide ayellow printing-plate which will print the illustration in yellow andthe lettering in yellow. 7

A black printing-plate is made in the usual way.

Thus all four color-separation printing-plates will print theillustration in their individual colors to collectively or unitedlyprovide a print correing-plate having the tones of the design orillustration represented at approximately one-half of their true-valuesand with the darkest shadows of the plate comprising separatedink-wells, the walls of which afford adequate support for thedoctor-blade, has been developed and the present invention may also beused in the manner indicated in Figures 4 and 5 in conformity with suchprocedure.

If the lettering or typematter is to be printed colorless in the print,the method in Figure 4 is employed; whereas, if it is to be in one ormore colors, the process set forth in Figure 5 is resorted to Referringfirst to the operation of Figure 4, an ordinary photographic negative 5|is made of the original subject or copy 52 and from such negative amethyl-violet-solution-dyed glue-print positive 53 is made on glassin'the manner hereinbefore mentioned.

A stripping-negative 54 having been made from the separate type-matter55, it is removed from its support and affixed in proper position on thepositive 53 and the resulting double member opaqued as needed, therebyproducing a'master,v duplex, dyed positive-and-negative 5!.

Negative 5| having been coated with a light responsive bichromated-gluefacing, with an intervening collodion-coating, has the subject-matter ofmember 56 surprinted thereon, thus providing the surprinted negative 51from which a so-called hemitone, screened positive "is made, and'this isphotographically printed, on the light-sensitive resist-coating 59applied tofthe surface of the metal-plate which is to form the printingelement.

-After such plate has been etched through the developed resist and usedas a printing-plate or cylinder, it will be apparent that the originalsubject will appear properly on the print and the colorless letteringwill be correctly associated therewith.

If the subject or copy is to be reproduced or duplicated in its originalcolors, each color-separation negative, corresponding to negative ii,will have the typematter surprinted thereon by means of the successiveuse of the single masterelement 56.

In the colored print the lettering will have been printed colorlessbecause it will have been eliminated in the manner indicated from all ofthe color printing-plates.

On the other hand, in the event that the lettering is to be in one ormore colors, then the practice suggested in Figure 5 is followed,wherein a negative 6! is made of the original copy 62, another negative63 is made of the same copy, and a strippingmegative 64 of thetypematter or lettering 65 is stripped on negative 63 and opaqued asneeded, thereby producing the dual or twofold master-negative 66, theemulsion being scraped clean on negative 83 before applying the strippednegative 64 as may be needed to provide proper area or areas for thelettering.

From negative 6| a hemi-tone, screened positive 51 is made through asuitable screen with appropriate screen-distance and exposure, whereuponby a hereinbefore-speciiled bichromatedglue coating superposed on suchpositive 61, the subject-matter of the master duplex negative 66 issurprinted thereon, an appropriate screen being stripped on to themaster duplex negative 86 over the 'typematter so that in the resultingsurprinted positive Bl both the illustration and the type'matter appearas screened, this being required for proper support of the doctor-bladeby the printing-plate to be made therefrom.

Positive 68 is then light-printed on the resist on the metal-plate andthe resist when developed will appear as at 89, and, of course, theplate is etched as usual to form the printing-element.

If such printing-plate is printed with one color, the illustration andlettering will con'formably appear in the print in the same singlecolor. In case the original copy is in colors and is to be so duplicatedin the print, obviously, each such color-separation hemi-tone positive81 made from the corresponding color-separation negative I will besurprinted from the single or common master 68 in the manner alreadyindicated as would be required to produce the lettering in the neededcolor or colors.

0n the other hand, if the original copy had a colored area in whichlettering of a different color or colors was to appear, then theoriginal color or colors would have to be cut out analogously to theprocedure presented in Figure 3.

- Those acquainted with this art will readily know what changes toincorporate in the described processes to get similar or differentresults, as, for instance, the manner of application "serted or added inlike or analogous manner.

I Also modifications of the procedures'set forth above may be resortedto without departure from the heart and essence of the invention asdefined by the appended claims and without the loss or sacrifice of anyof itsmaterial benefits.

It is to be understood that on the master additional stripping may bedone so as to add tone, Ben Days, etc.

As shown in the various figures of the drawings, the typematter orlettering is intentionally separated from the illustration, for purposesof clarity, but as will be readily understood, such lettering ortypematter may be located directly in or on a vari-colored illustration.7

The methyl violet solution hereinbefore referred to may be of anysuitable strength as is well-known in the art, and in the practice ofthis process it may be practically or actually saturated.

As to the iodine solution, it is well-known that iodine is insoluble inwater but is soluble in a weak solution of either iodide or bromide ofpotassium, and since the iodides and bromides are relatively expensive,a weak solution can be used to advantage and satisfaction.

I claim: a

1. In the method of surprinting supplemental matter for the productionof a printing-plate, the steps of making a stripping-transparency of theoriginal supplemental matter, making a transparency of the originalcopy, stripping said supplemental-matter-transparency and securing it inproper position on said copy-transparency, thereby providing asupplemental-matter-master, opaquing said master, if not otherwiseopaque, ex-

a photographic opposite of said master on a thereof which have beenacted upon by the light through said master.

- 2. In the method of surprinting'supplemental matter for the productionof printing-plates, the steps of making a stripping-transparency of theoriginal supplemental matter, making a transparency of the originalcopy, stripping said supplemental-matter transparency and securing it inproper position on said copy-transparency, thereby providing asupplemental-matter-master, opaquing said master, if not otherwiseopaque, except for said supplemental matter, and supplying to each of aplurality of color-separation transparencies of the original copy aprotogra'phic-opposite of said master, said opposite beingphotographically opaque in those positions thereof which have been actedupon by light through said master.

3. In the method of surprinting supplemental cept for said supplementalmatter, and supplying matter for the production of a printing-plate,

opaque, except for said supplemental matter, coating a secondtransparency of the original copy with a light-sensitive stratum,photographically surprinting said master on and developing said.stratum, and rendering the light-exposed portions of said developedcoating photographically opaque.

4. In the method of surprinting supplemental matter for the productionof printing-plates, the steps of making a stripping-transparency of theoriginal supplemental matter, making a transparency of the originalcopy, stripping said supplemental-matter-transparency and securing it inproper position on said copy-transparency, thereby providing asupplemental-matter-mas ter, opaquing said master, if not otherwiseopaque, except for said supplemental matter, coating each of a pluralityof color-separation transparencies of the original copy with alightsensitive stratum, photographically surprinting said master on anddeveloping each of said strata, and rendering the light-exposed portionsof said developed coatings photographically opaque.

5. The method presented in claim 3 in which said light-sensitive stratumis bichromated-glue and separated from the underlying transparency by awaterproof-coating.

6. The method presented in claim 4 in which each of said light-sensitivestrata is bichromatedglue and separated from the underlying transparencyby a waterproof-coating.

7. The method presented in claim 3 in which said supplemental-mattertransparency is a negative oi the original supplemental matter.

8. The method presented in claim 4 in which saidsupplemental-matter-transparency is a negative of the originalsupplemental matter.

. 9. The method presented in claim 3 in which said copy-transparency isa glue-print positive of the original copy. r v

10. The method presented in claim'4 in which each of saidcopy-transparencies is a glue-print positive of the original copy.

11. The method presented in claim 3 in which said copy-transparency is anegative of the original. copy.

12. The method presented in claim 3 in which said originalcopy-transparency is a reverse-negative of the original copy.

13. The method presented in claim 3 in which said light-sensitivestratum is bichromatedglue and separated from the underlyingtransparency by a waterproof-coating, in which saidsupplemental-matter-transparency is a negative or the originalsupplemental matter, and in which said copy-transparency is a glue-printpositive of the original copy.

14. The method presented in claim 3 in which said light-sensitivestratum is bichromated-glue and separated from the underlyingtransparency by a waterproof-coating, in which saidsupplemental-matter-transparency is a negative of the originalsupplemental-matter, and in which said original copy-transparency is anegative of the original copy.

15. The method presented in claim 3 in which said light-sensitivestratum is bichromated-glue and separated from the underlyingtransparency by a waterproof-coating, in which saidsupplemental-matter-transparency is a negative of the originalsupplemental-matter, and in which said original copy-transparency is areverse-negative oi the original copy.

16. The method presented in claim 4 in which each of saidcolor-separation transparencies is a negative of the original copy.

17. The method presented in claim 4 in which each of saidcolor-separation transparencies is a reverse-negative of the originalcopy.

18. The method presented in claim 4 in which each of saidcolor-separation transparencies is a screened-positive of the originalcopy.

19. The method presented in claim 4 in which each of saidcolor-separation transparencies is a screened-positive of the originalcopy and in which said stripping-transparency of the supplemental matteris screened.

20. The method presented in claim 4 in which saidsupplemental-matter-transparency is a negative of the originalsupplemental matter, in which each of said color-separationtransparencies is a negative of the original copy, and in which each ofsaid light-sensitive strata is bichromated-glue and is separated fromthe underlying negative by a water-proofed coating. 7

21. The method presented in claim 4 in which each of saidcolor-separation transparencies is a reverse-negative of the originalcopy, in which said supplemental-matter-transparency is a negative ofthe original supplemental matter, and in which each of saidlight-sensitive strata is bichromated-glue and separated from theunative of the original supplemental-matter, and

in which each of said light-sensitive strata is bichromated -glue andseparated from the underlying positive by a waterproof-coating.

23. In the method of surprinting supplemental matter for the productionof printing-plates, the steps of making a plurality of color-separationtransparencies of the copy, making a stripping negative of thesupplemental matter, making a dyed glue-print positive of the copy,stripping said negative and applying it in proper position on saidpositive, opaquing the remainder of said positive if necessary, therebyproviding a duplex first master, photographically making a second masterfrom said first master by the process of reversal-development,surprinting said first masthereby providing a supplemental-matter-masteropaquing said master, if required, except for said supplemental matter,coating a transparency of the original copy with light-sensitivebichromated-glue, exposing said coating to light through said master,water-developing said exposed coating, dyeing said developed coatingwith a methyl-violet-solution, rendering photographically opaque thelight-exposed portions of said coating with an iodine solution, andwashing and drying said coating. i

, WILLIAM J. WILKINSON.

